Janice Lozano
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on international students, with many having to put their study plans on hold and wait for borders to reopen. The New South Wales government, in collaboration with universities, has proposed a pilot plan for the safe return of international students to the state. This plan, approved by NSW Health and NSW Police, will see a staggered return of fully vaccinated international students, with the first phase targeting 500 students before the end of 2021. Eligible students must hold a valid Australian Student Visa and provide a negative COVID-19 test before departure. The return of international students is expected to positively impact the NSW economy, which previously relied on international education as its largest service export.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students in the first phase | 500 |
| Eligibility | Students with a valid Australian Student Visa, fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised COVID-19 vaccine, and a negative COVID-19 test pre-departure |
| Quarantine | 14 days in government-supervised purpose-built student accommodation |
| Travel | Charter flights until international travel arrangements open up again |
| Number of arrivals per fortnight | 250 |
| Universities | All NSW and ACT universities |
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What You'll Learn
International students' return to NSW universities
International students have been gradually returning to NSW universities since the end of 2021. The return of international students is expected to positively impact the NSW economy, which lost one-third of its international student community in 2021.
The return of international students to NSW universities is a joint undertaking between the NSW Government, Study NSW, and all NSW and ACT universities. The NSW Government submitted a proposal to the Australian Federal Government to assist international students in safely returning to the state. The proposal, approved by NSW Health and NSW Police, outlines the requirements for students to be eligible to return to NSW. These include having a valid Australian Student Visa and returning a negative COVID-19 test pre-departure.
The NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan aims to bring back 500 fully vaccinated students before the end of 2021. The first cohort of 266 students arrived under this plan, with flights on 24 December 2021 and 9 January 2022. The pilot plan is a staggered approach, with an initial cap of 250 student arrivals each fortnight, prioritising students with in-person or professional experience requirements to complete or continue their studies. On arrival, students are required to quarantine for 14 days in government-supervised, purpose-built student accommodation.
The pilot plan is a significant milestone for the NSW Government, universities, and the economy. It lays the foundation for the safe return of more international students in the future and supports the student experience and traditional face-to-face learning. The NSW Government recognises the importance of the international education sector, which sustains thousands of jobs in the state, and is committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens with strict vaccination and quarantine protocols in place for returning students.
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Quarantine requirements
The New South Wales government has been keen to welcome international students back to the state, recognising the contribution they make to the local economy. The government has, therefore, implemented a pilot plan to enable the staggered return of fully vaccinated international students.
All international students entering NSW will be subject to quarantine requirements. The specifics of these requirements may vary depending on the student's country of origin and the university they are attending. However, here are the general quarantine protocols:
- International students arriving in NSW will be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-supervised accommodation.
- The quarantine facilities will be purpose-built student accommodation, separate from other travellers.
- Students must return a negative COVID-19 test before departure and will likely undergo further testing during their quarantine period.
- During the quarantine period, students will need to remain in their designated accommodation and will not be permitted to leave, except in an emergency.
- Meals and essential services will be provided to students during their quarantine.
- Some universities may offer welfare checks and support services to students during their quarantine period.
- International students arriving in NSW will need to adhere strictly to the quarantine protocols, which are in place to protect the health and safety of the community.
- After completing the mandatory quarantine period and meeting all other requirements, students will be able to resume their studies and enjoy the benefits of being back in NSW.
The quarantine requirements are an essential part of the NSW government's strategy to safely welcome back international students and support the state's economy.
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Vaccination requirements
The New South Wales Government has announced that international students can return to the state if they are fully vaccinated with a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-recognised vaccine. This requirement is part of the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan, a joint undertaking between the NSW Government, Study NSW, and all NSW and ACT universities. The plan aims to safely bring back international students to continue their studies on campus and support the state's economy.
Under the Pilot Plan, 250 international students studying with NSW education providers were initially allowed to return each fortnight, starting in early December 2021. This number was later increased, and the first cohort of 266 students returned under the Pilot Plan. The plan has been evaluated, and there are plans to scale up and bring larger numbers of international students to NSW.
To be considered fully vaccinated, students must have received all necessary doses of a TGA-recognised vaccine. The TGA has recognised two COVID-19 vaccines that are not registered in Australia but are widely used internationally: Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China). Students aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin and those aged 18 to 60 who have received BBIBP-CorV are considered fully vaccinated.
Additionally, students who have received two different TGA-approved vaccines will be considered fully vaccinated. For those who cannot access a TGA-recognised vaccine, it is recommended to continue studying remotely until they can travel to Australia. Students who have received a non-TGA-recognised vaccine could get a single 'booster' of Johnson & Johnson to be considered fully vaccinated for entry into Australia, as this vaccine only requires one dose.
Before boarding their flight, international students must provide proof of vaccination and return a negative COVID-19 test. Upon arrival in NSW, they must get a rapid antigen test within 24 hours and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. As of 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated students with a TGA-approved vaccine are exempt from quarantine upon arrival.
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Travel arrangements
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has been working on a proposal to assist international students in safely returning to Sydney. The proposal has been approved by NSW Health and NSW Police, and the Federal Government has reopened borders to international students as of 2021.
International students will be required to travel to NSW via chartered or commercial flights. The NSW Government has set an initial cap of 250 student arrivals each fortnight, with the first phase commencing once NSW reached its 70% vaccination target. The pilot plan will slowly expand and evolve as vaccination rates continue to rise in NSW and internationally.
Students will need a valid Australian Student Visa and a negative COVID-19 test pre-departure. On arrival, students will be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-supervised, purpose-built student accommodation.
The participating universities will be able to decide jointly on the best way to allocate spots under the NSW Government cap, based on their 2019 international student enrolment numbers.
The return of international students will immensely contribute to and support the NSW economy, which lost one-third of its international student community in 2021.
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Economic impact
International education is a vital source of funding for Australian universities, which collected around $8.6 billion from international students in 2022—more than a quarter of their total revenue. In 2019, international education was Australia's largest service export and second most valuable export overall, worth $14.6 billion to the local economy. The tertiary education sector has argued that cutting student numbers would result in job losses and less money to do research, which would hurt Australian tertiary institutions' international reputation and place in global rankings.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government's recommendation for temporary migrants to return home caused disappointment among international students, who felt abandoned and expressed concerns about their education quality, study experience, safety, and wellbeing. The pandemic also impacted the financial viability of Australian universities, with income generated by international students' tuition fees and other purchases declining.
In response to the pandemic, the New South Wales (NSW) Government developed the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan, aiming to bring 500 fully vaccinated international students back to the state by the end of 2021. This initiative was welcomed by universities and the broader community, recognizing the significant cultural and economic contributions of international students.
The pilot plan was a joint effort between the NSW Government, Study NSW, and all NSW and ACT universities. It laid the foundation for safely returning more international students in the future, with the first cohort of 266 students returning before the end of 2021, followed by additional flights in early 2022.
The NSW Government also introduced the NSW International Education Recovery Strategy, focusing on four key pillars, including expediting the return of international students and promoting NSW as a preferred study destination. The strategy aimed to ensure NSW remains Australia's first-choice destination for international students, contributing to the state's economic recovery and growth.
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Frequently asked questions
The NSW government has been working on a plan to enable the return of international students since the onset of the pandemic. The first phase of the plan was to bring back 500 fully vaccinated students by the end of 2021.
International students must be fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised COVID-19 vaccine and will need to return a negative COVID-19 test pre-departure. They will also be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-supervised, purpose-built student accommodation.
Students are arriving via chartered or commercial flights.
International students contribute significantly to the NSW economy. In 2019, international education was NSW's largest service export, worth $14.6 billion to the local economy.
